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I need to update my signature thingy because this is what is up with our guides now...dd11 is still in CtC, I was able to move my ds9 back up into Bigger (hooray--he LOVES it and so do I), my ds5 is in LIttle Hearts (he loves talking about his science and history books), and I'm gonna do it........start LHTH with my 2.5 year old son. He loves reading, rhymes, art etc. I would keep it very relaxed, repeating it later on for mastery of letter sounds. But....he would like it and he and I would have fun together. My daughter would like to do a couple of the boxes with him, too.

So here we are.....a four guide family!! You know the amazing thing is, I'm not scared anymore!! I know I can do it, and we're having a great time already.

Good for you! We could be a 4 guide family - but I have decided to wait another year before I start LHTH with my youngest (who is also 2 1/2) I will start her on LHTH when she's 3 1/2 and go from there. So, I will be a 3 guide family this fall. (Preparing, Beyond, modified LHFHG)

I am sure it will go well and be wonderful!

How exciting for you and the kiddo's! Success

Yay! We did CtC, Bigger, Little Hearts, and Little Hands last year and had a great school year. I just placed my order for RtR for my oldest. This year we will do RtR and continue Bigger, Little, and LHands. (We are in different places in different guides due to some going half speed and/or starting at different times.) Four guides really is very do-able when everyone is correctly placed! Have a great year!
Angie

I can "hear" your excitement! Enjoy!

Liz,

I am right there with you!! We will be a four guide family in the fall!! I am excited and a little nervous but I know with the Lord's help (and a lot of caffine) I will be able to do it!!

We will be in Preparing, Bigger, Beyond and Little. I looked at combining the two younger ones but that was not going to work. My husband and I talked about doing a couple of boxes together on Sunday evenings for 1 1/2 hours to help eliminate me having to do everything by myself on Monday. I think this will work well. I am going to help my dd9 (Preparing) with the Teacher guided boxes on Sunday so she can do the Independent boxes on Monday while I help the others. This will also free up some time for her to help me with dd5 (Little).

This all sounds good in theory, we'll see come fall!

Blessings to you in this new adventure!

Thanks, ladies, for putting this message out there! When dc are appropriately placed, and when they are all doing HOD, doing 4 guides works great! You are all living proof of this. I cannot tell you how many moms Mike, Carrie, and I meet that are petrified at the idea of attempting even 2 guides - even when their dc are obviously extremely far apart in age or ability. The message that "you must combine or you won't be able to homeschool" is a very strong one. It makes me sad because it makes it tough for moms to even consider doing different aged dc in different guides, even when it is so obvious that is what would be best for the dc. Combining dc is a wonderful thing - SOMETIMES! Not combining dc is a wonderful thing - SOMETIMES! With HOD, you have the choice of combining or not combining, based on what fits your dc best. Thank you for sharing the other side of the coin here, as it is not shared often, and the mentality that you "must combine" to be able to homeschool is making many moms either hang up their homeschooling shoes or homeschool only to the oldest leaving the youngest to flounder. Thanks, Liz, for this very encouraging and informative thread! And thanks ladies, for continuing to share your success stories using multiple HOD guides - please keep sharing it. Others need to hear about it and know they can do it too.

In Christ,
Julie

Way to go Liz (and you other 4-guide moms)!! You'll have a great year, I'm sure!! I'm coming behind you soon. For now we're in 3 guides and ready to tackle school with a climbing, soon to be walking/running toddler and a baby on the way. I have to tell you that it makes me a little less sad to put away LHTH for now knowing that I'll be getting it out again in about 3 years.

Kathleen

That seems very doable to me. Sounds like you are going to have a wonderful year!

I'm excited for you. Hope you have a lot of fun.